While items are being transported on flatbeds across the country, the environment can pose many challenges and threats to the haul. Whether it is rain, snow, and other extreme weather conditions, the haul must be protected in transport. This is where tarps come into play. Tarps can cover and secure a haul from environmental factors. However, tarps are nothing without a solid tarp tie that can secure the tarp to the truck and ensure it stays put for ride. Tarps ties are also known as bungee straps. There are several different varieties of tarp ties, and it’s important to know the pros and cons of each before you tie down your next tarp. The wrong tarp tie could threaten the haul and others on the road. Mytee Products is proud to sell several variations of tarp tie downs, and has all the information you need to make the right choice.
1. Rubber Tarp Tie Down
Different Types of Rubber
Tarp tie downs come in two different types of rubber.
i) EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer):
EPDM rubber is a synthetic rubber that can withstand extreme heat. A haul that must travel in the summertime is much better off using EPDM rubber tarp tie downs as it will withstand the heat.
ii) Natural Rubber:
Natural rubber tarp tie downs can become problematic in extremely hot conditions. This natural rubber ties are less UV resistant. On the other hand, natural rubber tarp tie downs perform very well in extremely cold conditions, whereas EPDM rubber tie downs can become brittle.
If your EPDM tarp tie down becomes brittle in the cold, it can possibly break when stretching. To summarize, EPDM tie downs perform better in extreme heat, and natural rubber tie downs perform better in extreme cold. We recommend keeping both readily available as weather conditions can rapidly change as you travel across the country.
For example, if you’re a trucker that must transport a haul from Arizona to New Hampshire, you’ll want EPDM tie downs when traveling through warmer states and natural rubber tarp tie downs for when you travel up north.
2. Reinforced Ends
Reinforced ends are a crucial component to rubber tarp ties. A reinforced end is simply extra rubber surrounding the S hook to ensure it stays in place. Without this reinforced end, the hook could easily come loose or break the rubber. Another benefit of reinforced ends is that it absorbs tension caused by the S Hook and increases the straps overall durability. All of Mytee Products’ tie downs have reinforced ends to ensure stability. We also offer an adjustable tarp tie down which has reinforced rubber at all of the adjustment points, so no matter where you choose to place the hook, it is secure and stable. A tarp tie down without reinforced ends is unsafe and we do not recommend using them.
3. S Hooks
The S Hook at the ends of the tarp tie is what will hook onto attachment points for the tarp and truck and ensure the tarp remains secure. The ’S’ corresponds to the shape of the hook. It is crucial to have a well constructed S Hook. All of Mytee’s S Hooks are made from galvanized steel with rust protection to ensure their durability over time. Many S Hooks will come pre-crimped meaning that part of the hook is folded inwards. A crimped hook is important as it prevents the hook from damaging the tarp and potentially cutting a hole in it. Many of Mytee’s tarp ties have crimped hooks, which saves time for the driver as they won’t have to crimp each hook themselves. However, a prepared truck driver should keep a pair of pliers handy just in case they have to crimp an S Hook. Mytee Products sells replacement S Hooks should any problems arise.
Important Features of Tarp Tie Down
a) Elasticity
It is crucial that a tarp tie down is elastic to stretch to the movements of the tarp, but also return back to their natural length. Below, Mytee Products has created a graph to show the normal length of our tarp tie downs and their maximum stretch length.
Our rubber tarp ties are elastic but very resilient. Figuring out the length of the tarp tie you need is easy. Simply measure the length between the D Ring on your tarp and the anchor point on the truck. You’ll want a tarp tie slightly lesser than that length. The importance of safety must also be stressed. Old rubber tie downs may snap when being stretched, and can cause serious bodily harm. We recommend wearing protective eye wear when handling tarp tie downs. Simply go to any truck stop and you’ll find broken bungee straps strewn about, which is a reminder that any of those broken straps could have been a potential injury.
b) Longevity
No tarps ties will last forever, and once they have been used and abused through thousands of miles, they can become less elastic and prone to breaking. If a tarp tie down breaks your tarp can be compromised and create a road hazard and possibly damage the haul. It is crucial to inspect your tarp tie downs before hitting the road to ensure each tie down is in good condition. Any tie down that appears to be used past the point of no return should be swapped out with a fresh one. Keeping extra ties and other supplies is a great habit and will come in handy in a bind.
What Makes the Perfect Tarp Tie?
So what makes the perfect tarp tie down? Well, in reality there is no such thing as a completely perfect tie down. Rather, there is a time and place for each variety of tie down, yet there are some common traits associated with a reliable one. Considering all of the information around tarp tie downs, the perfect tarp tie should be elastic, yet retain its shape/length when not being stretched. It should have a crimped S Hook to prevent accidental damage to the tarp. However, when it comes to weather, a prepared truck driver should have both EPDM and natural rubber tie downs available for different climates. Using the correct tie down for the climate will ensure their durability and longevity. When it comes to hauling items, the most important thing is that the haul reaches its destination safely and without harm. The combination of a solid tarp and well made tie downs turn that goal into a reality.
To get quick idea and about the tarp tie downs, please check out this video;
Reach Out to Mytee Products to Choose the Right Tarp Tie Down
Mytee Products sells a wide variety of tarp tie downs and now with this information you can make an educated decision as to what is the perfect tie down for your situation. If you have any questions or want to place an order feel free to give us a call and speak with one of our expert representatives!
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